Vented fitment



Nov. 5, 1957 R. w. BEALL, JR

VENTED FITMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed 001,- 3, 1955 INVENTOR.

Nov. 5, 1957 R. w. BEALL, JR 2,812,113

VENTED FITMENT Filed Oct. 3, 1955 2 Sheets-Shet 2 jfra: 9.

flaw/12D W Be-41. 1., (71%.

I N V EN TOR.

United States Patent VENTED FITMENT Richard W. Beall, Jr., Hermosa Beach, Calif.

Application October 3, 1955, Serial N 0. 537,983

29 Claims. (Cl. 222-111) The present invention relates to the field of liquid dispensing devices, .and more particularly to a fitment that can be positioned in the liquid discharge portion of a container to vent same during the pouring of liquid therefrom. This application is a continuation-inpart of copending application Serial No. 505,140 entitled, Vented Closure which was filed in the United States Patent Oifice May 2, 1955.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to provide a fitment that can be easily disposed in the liquid discharge portion of a container to facilitate the smooth and even flow of liquid therefrom, to sharply cut off the flow of liquid from the container after cessation of the pouring operation, and to prevent inadvertent spillage of liquid from the container in which the device is mounted should the container be accidentally upset.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a fitment of simplified structure that can be fabricated at sufiiciently low cost as to permit installation thereof in a bottle or container after same has been filled with a liquid product whereby both the fitment and container may be discarded after the contents of the bottle has been emptied therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive fitment which when installed in a container permits the even flow of liquid therefrom without gurgling, and one that sharply cuts off the flow of liquid from the container after the pouring operation is completed.

A still further object of the invention is to supply a fitment that vents the container with which it is associated at all times when the fluid contents are poured therefrom, and one that permits discharge of liquid at any desired position on the 360 liquid discharge opening of the container.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a fitment embodying a pouring spout which when in a pouring position projects above the container liquid discharge opening in which the invention is disposed, which fitment is so constructed that the pouring spout can be forced downwardly within the confines of the discharge opening when a cap or cover is placed thereon.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a fitment for a fluid container that defines a well into which surplus liquid clinging to the pouring spout may drain, with the well having a combination air vent and drain passage connected to an opening in the lower portion thereof that directs such surplus liquid back into the confines of the container.

Another object of the invention is to furnish fitments that can be mounted on either the interior or the exterior of the liquid discharge portion of a container, which fitments have spout portions that remain in either a projecting position above the liquid discharge opening or move downwardly into the confines thereof, depending upon the particular type of cap employed in conjunction therewith.

2,812,113 Patented Nov. 5, 1595'? A further object of the invention is to provide a fitment that is so shaped as to be easily insertable within the confines of the liquid discharge portion of a container, and one which once inserted, remains in fixed position relative to the discharge portion of the container.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form, and certain alternate forms thereof, when considered with the drawings illustrating those forms in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of the invention, portions of which are cut away to show the internal structure of the device;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary, vertical cross-sectional view of the invention shown disposed in the neck of a bottle with a screw-type cap mounted on the bottle neck to force the spout into the confines of the fitment;

Figure 3 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the invention taken on line 33 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a first alternate form of the invention that dispenses liquid from a container drop by drop;

Figure 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a second alternate form of the invention embodying a continuous annular lip mounted on the upper portion of the pouring spout;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the device shown in Figure 5 taken on line 6-6 thereof;

Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the invention when used with a special cap that permits the spout to remain in an upwardly projecting position;

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the preferred form of the invention with a gurgle-minimizing device embodied as a part thereof;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a third alternate form of the invention which is adapted to be mounted on the exteriorly threaded neck of a container, showing a snap-on cap that can be used in conjunction therewith;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a modification of the device shown in Figure 9; and,

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fourth alternate form of the invention that is adapted for use with the screw-on type cap that comes on containers.

Referring now to Figures 1-3 for the general arrange ment of the preferred form of the invention, it will be seen that it embodies a cylindrical side wall 10, preferably fabricated from a resilient material such as polyethylene, and is of a size as to fit snugly within the upper confines of the neck 12 of a bottle 14. Exterior threads 16 are preferably formed on neck 12, which threads are engageable with threads 18 formed on the side walls 29 of a conventional metallic cap 24. The upper edge of side wall 10 terminates in a ring-shaped flange 26 that extends outwardly therefrom. Flange 26, as best seen in Figure 2, abuts against the upper edge of neck 12, and prevents insertion of side wall 19 but a predetermined distance within the confines of the neck.

A tubular pouring spout 28 is so disposed within the confines of side wall It? that the upper portion of the spout extends above flange 26. The lower edge portion of the spout develops into an annular, downwardly and outwardly tapering member 30, the circumferential edge portion 32 of which is joined to the interior surface of side wall 10, preferably formed as an integral unit therewith. Member 30 is fabricated from a resilient material to permit vertical movement of the spout 28. To permit maximum Vertical movement of the pouring spout 23 with a minimum of effort, member 39 is preferably formed with a plurality of concentric annular corrugations 33 therein, which lends a bellows-like construction to this member.

Spout 28 and the interior surface of side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well 34 into which surplus liquid adhering to the spout can drip upon cessation of the pouring operation. At the lowermost position on member an opening 36 is formed, which opening communicates with a downwardly depending tube 40, as can best be seen in Figure 1. When liquid is being discharged from spout 28 tube 40 serves as an air vent as well as a drain for the return of liquid into the confines of bottle 14 after it has entered the well 34. Tube 40 is preferably formed to curve and extend inwardly away from that side wall of the bottle 14 closest thereto. Such inward curvature minimizes the possibility of fluid discharge through tube 40 should the bottle 14 be inadvertently upset.

In Figure 1 it will be seen that a restricted orifice 42 is provided on the lower end portion of tube 40. The cross section of this orifice is suflicient to permit an adequate flow of air into the bottle through tube 40 during the pouring operation, yet which air supply is sufiiciently small that the fluid flow therethrough is impeded to the extent that no appreciable flow of liquid occurs in tube 40 when the bottle 14 is placed in an inverted position. Spout 28 (Figure 1) has a lip 44 extending outwardly therefrom, disposed above the flange 26. Lip 44 serves to sharply cut off the stream of liquid flowing from spout 28 as the bottle 14 is returned to an upright position.

With the invention installed in bottle 14 it may be used in the conventional manner. When the bottle is inverted, liquid flows from spout 28, with air flowing inwardly through tube 40 to replace the discharged liquid. As the bottle is returned to an upright position, lip 44 serves to sharply break the flow of the liquid stream. Any liquid adhering to the lip or the exterior surface of spout 28, flows downwardly'into well 34. Upon entering well 34, the liquid drains through opening 36 and returns through tube 40 into the confines of the bottle. A baffie 46 extends across a portion of the liquid discharge opening in spout 10 and serves to restrict the opening sufficiently to substantially eliminate gurgling of the liquid or any uneven flow thereof.

A first alternate form of the invention is shown in Figure 4 that will be seen to be structurally identical to the preferred form of the invention except for the liquid discharge spout. The component parts of this first alternate form correspond to those of the preferred form, and for convenience herein are identified by the same numerals to which a prime has been added. Pouring spout 28' has a thickened outer end portion 48 in which an outwardly tapering orifice 50 is formed. When bottle 14 is inverted, liquid enters the orifice 50 through the restricted opening 52, and a quantity of liquid formed in the orifice in the shape of a drop. In so forming, the drop will separate from spout 28' when the force of gravity acting on the drop exceeds the force exerted by the surface tension of the liquid that causes the drop to cling to the interior of the orifice 50. The first alternate form of the invention is particularly well adapted for pharmaceutical uses, and other than the fact that liquid is discharged therefrom intermittently in a series of drops, it operates in the same manner as the preferred form of the device.

A second alternate form of the invention is shown in Figures 5 and 6 wherein it will be seen that the lip construction thereof is the only feature distinguishing it from the preferred form already described. The same numerals are used herein to identify corresponding elements of the preferred and second alternate forms of the invention, but with a double prime added thereto relative to the second alternate form.

In the second alternate form of the device, pouring spout 28" is provided with an annular upwardly and outwardly extending lip 54 formed on the upper edge portion thereof which permits liquid to be poured from spout 28" without regard to any particular positioning of the bottle 14". Lip 54 has a number of circumferentially spaced protuberances 56 formed on the interior surface thereof, which protuberances serve to break up a liquid film that forms on the interior surface of lip 54 into drops, which due to gravitational force, flow downwardly through the pouring spout into the confines of the bottle.

In Figure 7 a rigid cap 60 is shown that has a top 24' embodying a raised portion 62. This raised portion 62 envelopes the flange 54 of the pouring spout and permits the spout to remain in an outwardly extending position even when the cap 60 is fully screwed onto the threads 16 of the bottle neck 12'. Under some conditions, surge of liquid occurs during discharge thereof from pouring spout 28". To eliminate this annoyance a transverse bar 64, shown in Figure 6, can be positioned within the confines of the spout (Figure 5), which bar serves to impede and break up initial fluid flow when bottle 14 is suddenly inverted to dispense liquid therefrom.

A form of the invention is shown in Figure 8 that is provided with a closed bottom 64 and openings 64" in the side 10 thereof through which liquid from the container can flow. This construction likewise prevents undesirable surge of the liquid.

A third alternate form of the invention is shown in Figure 9 that comprises a first cylindrical side wall 70, a second cylindrical side wall 72 of smaller internal diameter than the first, with the upper edge of the first side wall and the lower edge of the second side wall being joined by a ring-shaped member 74. The interior of the first side wall is provided with threads 76 to permit same to be screwed onto the externally threaded neck of a can or bottle (not shown). Second side wall 72 is formed with an outwardly projecting bead 78 that extends therearound.

The outer circumferential edge of an upwardly and inwardly tapering resilient member 80 is bonded or is integrally formed with the lower interior edge portion of side wall 72. The highest position on member 30 develops into a pouring spout 82, which spout has a closed upper end 84 and a liquid discharge opening 86 formed on the side of the spout. An annular upwardly and outwardly extending lip 88 is provided on the exterior surface of spout, 82, and it serves the same purpose as the lip 54 shown in Figure 5. The closed upper end 84 prevents liquid discharged from spout 82 from overshooting the container in which it is to be dispensed.

The third alternate form of the invention has a cap 90 (Figure 9) that includes a ring-shaped flange 92 from which a third cylindrical side wall 94 projects upwardly. Side wall 94 is fabricated from a resilient material, and has a circumferentially extending recess 96 formed on the exterior surface thereof. The size and location of recess 96 is such as to removably engage bead 78 when third side wall 94- is slipped over second side wall 72. The upper edge of third side wall 94 develops into an inwardly extending ring-shaped member 97 that terminates in a fourth cylindrical side wall 98. A flat top extends inwardly from the upper edges of fourth side wall 98. Fourth side wall 98 and top 100 cooperatively define an inverted cap-shaped member 102 that envelopes the pouring spout 82 when cap 90 is disposed on the third alternate form of the invention. An opening 104 is formed in member 80 adjacent the interior surface of second side wall 72. A tube 106 which is sufficiently rigid to remain in fixed position, depends from member 80 and communicates with opening 104.

The device shown in Figure 10 is a modification of the third alternate form of the invention, differing therefrom in that the resilient member 80' has concentric corrugations 108 formed therein, and the spout 82' terminates in an annularly extending lip 88'.

V A fourth alternate form of the invention is shown in Figure II, which is of such size and design that the cap (not shown) removed from the container on which the errant invention is mounted may be used in lieu of the cap 90. It' will be seen from the drawings that this fourth form is similar to the third form of the invention. Those parts of the fourth form of the device corresponding to the third form are identified by the same numerals used with respect to the third form but to which double primes have been added.

The second side wall 72" in the fourth form of the invention is provided with external threads 112 that are identical to the threads 112a formed on the exterior surface of the fluid discharge neck 114 of the container (not shown) from which the neck extends. Corrugations 116 of a concentric design are formed in member 80", and these corrugations as shown in Figure 11 are of minimum thickness at the junctions of the vertical legs 118 and horizontal legs 120 defining same. Member 80" flexes at the junction lines of legs 118 and 120 which permits downward movement of the spout 82" with a minimum of effort. Flexing of member 80" is also facilitated due to the fact that opening 104" is of a generally crescent shape. The interior bore of tube 106" is also of crescent shape thereby adding rigidity thereto.

The operation of each of the alternate forms of the invention is similar to that of the preferred form, and therefore need not be repeated herein. A particularly novel feature of the invention resides in the fact that it renders the container with which it is associated largely spill-proof, for liquid will not discharge from the spout until the spout is directed downwardly at an angle relative to the horizontal. The combination air vent and drain 40 may either be formed with a curvature at the time of manufacture, or may be directed inwardly by the positioning of the invention in the liquid discharge portion of a container.

Another important feature of the invention is that when a bottle or container in which any one of the various types of fitments previously described is used, the entire contents of the bottle can be drained therefrom when the bottle is disposed in a substantially inverted vertical position whereby there is little or no waste of the fluid contents of the bottle or container in which it is disposed.

Although the preferred and alternate forms of the invention herein shown and described are fully capable of achieving the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore mentioned, it is to be understood that they are merely the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that I do not mean to be limited to the details of construction herein shown and described other than as defined in the appeneded claims.

I claim:

1. A fitment capable of being mounted in the liquid discharge portion of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical resilient side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said liquid discharge portion to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and effect a fluid-tight seal therewith; means that prevent positioning of said side wall below a predetermined distance in said liquid discharge portion; circular resilient member disposed within said side wall, the circumferential edge of which member is in liquid sealing engagement with the lower interior surface portion of said side wall and extends radially upwardly therefrom, said member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein, which member except for said circumferential edge is vertically movable relative to said side wall; a substantially rigid spout that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulusshaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufficiently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of saidside wall; and passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air vent when liquid is being poured from said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said well into said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position.

2. A fitment as defined in claim 1 in which said resilient member tapers upwardly and inwardly and is capable of being moved downwardly sufliciently to per-. mit the upper edge of said spout to be disposed in sub-. stantially the same horizontal plane as that of the upper surface of said liquid discharge portion.

3. A fitment as defined in claim 2 in which said second opening is disposed in the lowermost portion of said member to drain therefrom all liquid entering said well.

4. A fitment as defined in claim 3 in which said spout is provided with means normally positioned above the upper extremity of said side wall to cause a clean break in the liquid streaming therefrom upon cessation of the pouring operation, which means and spout are capable of being moved downwardly into the confines of said side wall when downward pressure is applied to said means and spout.

5. A fitment as defined in claim 4 in ,which said means for breaking said liquid stream is a lip that extends outwardly from the upper edge portion of said spout.

6. A fitment as defined in claim 5 in which said member is formed with concentric corrugations to permit maximum vertical movement thereof.

7. A fitment as defined in claim 6 in which at least a portion of said passage defining means is of such small cross section that no appreciable quantity of liquid flows from said second opening when said container is held in a position that permits liquid to flow from said spout.

8. A fitment as defined in claim 7 in which said side wall is fabricated from a resilient material that snugly engages the interior surface of said liquid discharge portion of said container.

9. A fitment as defined in claim 8 in which said means that prevent downward movement of said side wall is a ring-shaped flange extending outwardly from the upper edge portion of said sidewall.

10. A fitment as defined in claim 9 in which said passage defining means is a downwardly depending tube that curves inwardly away from that portion of said container side wall closest thereto.

11. A fitment as defined in claim 10 that is fabricated as an integral unit from a resilient synthetic polymerized resinous material.

12. A fitment capable of being mounted in the liquid discharge portion of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said liquid discharge portion to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and effect a fluid-tight seal therewith; means that prevent positioning of said side wall below a predetermined distance in said liquid discharge portion; circular resilient member disposed within said side wall, the circumferential edge of which member is in liquid sealing engagement with the lower interior surface portion of said side wall and extends radially upwardly therefrom, said member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein which member except for said circumferential edge is vertically movable relative to said side wall; a substantially rigid spout that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufliciently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of said side wall; with said spout being formed with a restricted orifice therein to cause discharge of liquid therefrom drop by drop when said container is disposed in a liquid discharging position; and passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air Vent when liquid is being poured from said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said .well into said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position. A

13. A fitment as defined inclaim 12 in which said resilient membercan be deformed downwardly sufiiciently to permit the upper edge of said spout to be situated in substantially the same horizontal plane as the upper surface of saidliquid discharge portion.

14. A fitment as defined in claim 13 in which said second opening is disposed in the lowermost portion of said member to drain therefrom all liquid entering said well.

15. A fitment as defined in claim 14 in which said passage defining means is a downwardly depending tube.

16. A fitment capable of being mounted in the liquid discharge portion of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical resilient side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said liquid discharge portion to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and effect a fluid-tight seal therewith; means that prevent positioning of said side wall below a predetermined distance in said liquid discharge portion; circular resilient member disposed within said side wall, the circumferential edge of which member is in liquid sealing engagement with the lower interior surface portion of said side wall and extends radially upwardly therefrom, said member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein, which member except for said circumferential edge is vertically movable relative to said side wall; a substantially rigid spout that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufiiciently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of said side wall; a ring-shaped lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper portion of said spout, which lip makes a clean break in the liquid stream flowing from said spout at the cessation of the pouring operation; and passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air vent when liquid is being poured from said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said well into said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position.

17. A fitment capable of being mounted in the liquid discharge portion of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical resilient side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said liquid discharge portion to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and effect a fluid-tight seal therewith, said side wall being chamfered on the bottom portion thereof for ease of insertion into said liquid discharge portion of said container; means that prevent positioning of said side wall below a predetermined distance in said liquid discharge portion; circular resilient member disposed within said side wall, the circumferential edge of which member is in liquid sealing engagement with the lower interior surface portion of said side wall and extends radially upwardly therefrom, said member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein, which member except for said circumferential edge is vertically movable relative to said side wall; a substantially rigid spout, that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout, and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufficiently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of said side wall; a ring-shaped lip extending upwardly and outwardly from the upper portion of said spout, which lip makes a clean break in the liquid stream flowing from said spout at the cessationof the pouring operation; passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air r r 8 r vent when liquid being poured from'said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said well into. said container when said containeris disposed in a sub-. stantially upright position; and liquid gurgling minimizing means mounted on said spout. and-surge preventing means.

18.-A fitment capable of being mounted onthe exteriorly threaded neck of a liquid container, including:.

a first cylindrical side wall having threads formed on the interior thereof that engage said exterior threads to hold said first sidewall on said neck; a second cylindrical sidewall of smaller interior diameter than said first sidewall, said second side wall having a projecting bead formed thereon that extends therearound; a ringshaped member extending from the upper edge of said first side wall to the lower edge of said second sidewall; a circular resilient member disposed inside said second side wall, the circumferential edge of which resilient member is in liquid sealing engagement with the inte rior surface of said second side wall below the upper edge thereof, said resilient member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein; a spout that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufiiciently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of said side wall; passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air vent when liquid is being poured from said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said well into said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position; an annular lip that extends upwardly and outwardly from the upper edge portion of said spout; and a resilient cup-shaped cap formed with a circumferentially extending recess on the interior surface thereof that engages said bead when the open end portion of said cap isstretched and slidably mounted on the exterior surface of said second side wall.

19. A fitment as defined in claim .18 in which said resilient member tapers upwardly and inwardly.

20. A fitment as defined in claim 19 in which said resilient member is formed with a plurality of concentric corrugations therein.

21. A spill-proof fitment capable of being mounted in the liquid discharge portion of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical resilient side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said liquid discharge portion to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and effect a fluid-tight seal therewith; means that prevent positioning of said side wall below a predetermined distance in said liquid discharge portion; circular resilient member disposed within said side wall, the circumferential edge of which member is in liquid sealing engagement with the lower interior surface portion of said side wall and extends radially upwardly therefrom, said member having first and second laterally separated openings formed therein, which member except for said circumferential edge is vertically movable relative to said side wall; a substantially rigid spout that extends upwardly from said member and in liquid communication with said first opening, which spout and the interior surface of said side wall cooperatively define an annulus-shaped well therebetween, with said spout being sufiiciently long to extend above the upwardly disposed edge of said side wall, with said spout having a bore extending therethrough, a portion of which bore is so restricted in cross section that liquid contained in said bottle will not be appreciably discharged therethrough should said bottle be inadvertently upset to assume a horizontal position; and passage defining means in communication with said second opening as an air vent when liquid is being poured from said spout and a drain for the return of liquid from said well into said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position.

22. A molded one-piece fitment capable of being mounted in an elongate liquid discharge opening of a container, including: a substantially straight cylindrical resilient side wall capable of being slidably inserted within the confines of the outermost part of said opening to snugly and fully engage the contacted interior surface thereof and efiect a fluid-tight seal therewith; a substantially rigid spout, at least a portion of which is disposed within the confines of said side wall, with the interior surface of said spout defining an annular space therebetween; a circular resilient liquid-sealing member that extends inwardly and upwardly from the lower interior surface portion of said side wall to said spout to maintain said spout in a first position relative to said side wall, which member has an opening formed therein; and a tube supported from said member and disposed therebelow communicating with said opening, which tube serves as an air vent when liquid is poured from said spout, as a drain for surplus liquid from said annular space to said container when said container is disposed in a substantially upright position, said spout when downward force is applied thereto deforming said sealing member downwardly to a second position where said spout is completely disposed within the confines of said side wall.

23. A fitment as defined in claim 22 in which said spout without downward force thereon projects above the upper edge of said side wall.

24. A fitment as defined in claim 22 in which a ringshaped flange is provided that projects outwardly from the upper circumferential edge portion of said side wall,

which flange is adapted to seat on the upper edge portion of the structure defining said liquid discharge opening.

25. A fitment as defined in claim 22 in which a bathe is provided in said spout to prevent surging of liquid from said spout.

26. A fitment as defined in claim 22 that is provided with a pouring lip that extends outwardly from the entire upper circumferential edge of said spout to permit pouring of liquid therefrom at any desired position of said container.

27. A fitment as defined in claim 22 in which said lip extends outwardly from said spout a sufficient distance to prevent liquid on said lip at the cessation of the pouring operation from being drawn onto the exterior surface of said spout by capillary attraction.

28. A fitment as defined in claim 24 in which said flange is formed of a sufiicientlyresilient material to act in a fluid-sealing capacity when tightly engaged by a cap disposed on the structure defining said liquid discharge opening.

29. A fitment as defined in claim 22 in which said tube is of such length as to result in a continuous and uninterrupted flow of liquid from said spout.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 17,810 Simmons et a1 July 14, 1857 513,635 Deverall Jan. 30, 1894 2,601,039 Livingstone June 17, 1952 2,601,040 Livingstone June 17, 1952 2,715,480 Livingstone Aug. 16, 1955 

